Apparatus and method for facilitating play of a gaming device with a plurality of balances

ABSTRACT

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving an indication of a wager, determining at least one balance of a gaming device having a plurality of balances, the at least one balance being associated with the wager, and determining an outcome of a play of the gaming device based on the at least one balance.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/077,873, filed on Feb.15, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of, claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/371,341, filed on Aug.10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,248, which is a continuation of,claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/055,665, filed on Apr. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,896, theentire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to gaming devices and morespecifically to gaming devices that dispense monetary output.

BACKGROUND

A conventional gaming device, such as a slot machine, video pokermachine or video blackjack machine, typically requires a player toestablish an initial “balance” by providing the gaming device withmonetary input. For example, the player may insert currency (bills,coins and/or tokens) into the gaming device. Alternatively, the playermay have funds transferred to the gaming device from an account, such asa credit card account or casino account that is identified by a cardinserted into the gaming device. Once a balance is established, it isavailable for initiating a play of the gaming device.

The player then selects a wager amount which is subtracted from thebalance (i.e. the wager amount is “drawn” from the balance), andinitiates a play by pulling a handle or pressing a button on the gamingdevice. For example, the player may select a wager amount of three coinsfrom a balance of ten coins. In response, the gaming device generates agame outcome (e.g. “CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY” for a slot machine) and acorresponding award amount that is based on the game outcome. The awardamount may be zero for unfavorable game outcomes, or a greater amountfor more favorable outcomes. Typically, greater award amounts correspondto more unlikely game outcomes. The balance is increased by the awardamount, thereby generating an adjusted balance that is available forinitiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a network of gaming devices.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a server of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a gaming device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for establishing balances.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for selecting abalance.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for selecting a wageramount.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for determining an awardamount.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a probability schedule of a gamingdevice of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a payout schedule of a gamingdevice of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of aprobability schedule.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a payoutschedule.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a process for dispensing monetaryoutput.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a process fordispensing monetary output.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A gaming device provided in accordance with the present inventionincludes a plurality of balances. According to various embodiments,there may be different incentives for players to use the balances.Accordingly, the player has an incentive to establish and draw from abalance. For example, drawing a wager amount from a particular balancemay provide a higher probability of a more favorable game outcome, mayprovide a higher award amount for a particular game outcome, or mayprovide a gift or benefit to the player. Drawing a wager amount fromdifferent balances thus may provide the player with different gamingexperiences.

When the player provides the gaming device with monetary input, abalance is selected and that balance is adjusted by the monetary input.The balance may be selected based on various criteria. For example,different sources of monetary input may establish different balances, ordifferent amounts of monetary input may establish different balances.

Referring to FIG. 1, a network 100 includes a server 102 that is incommunication with gaming devices 104, 106 and 108. Although threegaming devices are shown, any number of gaming devices may be incommunication with the server 102. The gaming devices 104, 106 and 108may communicate with the server 102 through a number of mediums, such aswireless (e.g. radio-frequency or infrared) or serial cable. Asdescribed below, data exchanged between the gaming devices 104, 106 and108 and the server 102 may represent player names and correspondingidentifiers, balance amounts and game outcomes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the server 102 includes a processor 202, such asone or more conventional microprocessors, that is in communication witha data storage device 204. The data storage device 204 stores (i) aprogram 206 for directing the processor 202 in accordance with thepresent invention, and particularly in accordance with the processesdescribed in detail hereinafter; and (ii) a player database 208. Theplayer database 208 stores information on each player, including eachplayer's casino account balance and “player-reward points” balance.Player-reward points are typically awarded by the casino and redeemablefor food, drink, entertainment and/or lodging. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the data storage device 204 may store other typesof information.

The processor 202 is also in communication with a communication port220, which is in turn in communication with the gaming devices 104, 106and 108. The communication port 220 may include multiple communicationchannels for simultaneous communication with a plurality of gamingdevices.

Referring to FIG. 3, a gaming device 300 includes processor 302 incommunication with a data storage device 304. The data storage device304 stores (i) a program 306 for directing the processor 302 inaccordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordancewith the processes described in detail hereinafter; (ii) a plurality ofbalances 308; (iii) a payout schedule 310; and (iv) a probabilityschedule 312.

The processor 302 is also in communication with a currency acceptor 320for accepting coins, bills and tokens, thereby allowing a player toestablish one or more balances with the gaming device 300. The processor302 is further in communication with a random number generator 322 and areel controller 324. The reel controller 324 is in turn in communicationwith a set of reels 326, 328 and 330. In response to the initiation ofplay, the random number generator 322 determines a game outcome, and thereel controller 324 causes the reels 326, 328 and 330 to spin and stopat a combination of reel positions corresponding to the game outcome.

The processor 302 is further in communication with a hopper controller332, which in turn is in communication with a hopper 334. The hopper 334stores a supply of currency, and the hopper controller 332 controls theamount of currency to be received by or dispensed from the hopper 334.

In an alternate or supplemental embodiment, a video display 336 is incommunication with and controlled by the processor 302 to display theoutcome of a play. A player interface 338, also in communication withand controlled by the processor 302, comprises (i) credit meters 340 fordisplaying the balances, (ii) a keypad 342 for entering data, (iii) adisplay 344 for displaying the data, error messages and otherinformation, and (iv) a card reader 346 for reading a player trackingcard or financial card such as a credit card or smart card. The keypad342 may include electro-mechanical buttons, a touch screen, or any othersuitable means of data input that allows the player to enter datadescribed herein. The card reader 346 may be, for example, the MASTERCOMdevice, commercially available from Bally Manufacturing. For adiscussion of player card tracking devices, see, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,429,361 to Raven et al., incorporated by reference herein.

The gaming device 300 can be operatively connected to a network througha communication port 348. Such a connection allows the gaming device 300to access account information and verify account status, and furtherallows balances to be dispensed or transferred between gaming devices.Also in communication with the processor 302 is a starting controller350, which the player operates to initiate a play. The startingcontroller 350 may be, for example, a handle pulled by the player or abutton actuated by the player.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, functions performedby the server 102, such as providing each gaming devices 104, 106 and108 with information on casino account balances, may be performed by thegaming device 300.

The description that follows is arranged into the following sections:Establishing Balances, Selecting a Wager Amount, Determining an AwardAmount and Dispensing Monetary Output.

Establishing Balances

Referring to FIG. 4, a process 400 for establishing balances initiateswhen a gaming device receives monetary input (step 402). For example, aplayer may (i) insert currency into the gaming device, or (ii) insert acredit card or a player tracking card that identifies a casino accountand indicate an amount to transfer to the gaming device. The gamingdevice determines the amount of monetary input that was received (step404), in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The gaming devicealso determines the source of the received monetary input (step 406).For example, the gaming device can detect whether currency was insertedinto the currency acceptor 320 (FIG. 3), or whether a card was insertedinto the card reader 346 (FIG. 3). Two possible sources of the monetaryinput are (i) an account stored on a casino server (a “casino account”),and (ii) the player (for currency, credit cards, debit cards and smartcards). Many other types of sources may be defined, and these othersources may be detected by the gaming device.

The gaming device then selects one or more balances from a plurality ofbalances (step 408). In one embodiment, the gaming device may select thebalance based on the source of the monetary input. For example, theremay be three balances, each corresponding to one of three possiblesources of monetary input. In another embodiment, the gaming deviceselects the balance based on the amount of the monetary input. Forexample, there may be two balances, each corresponding to a differentrange of amounts. One balance may correspond to amounts greater than apredetermined threshold, and the second balance may correspond toamounts less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. For example,the threshold for a three-coin slot machine may be five coins. Inanother embodiment, a balance may be selected based on both the sourceand amount of the monetary input. A further description of the step ofselecting a balance is described below.

After a balance is selected, the gaming device next adjusts the selectedbalance based on the amount of the monetary input (step 410). Typically,the gaming device increases the selected balance by the amount of themonetary input. Alternatively, the gaming device may increase theselected balance by a predetermined percentage of the amount of themonetary input. For example, if $100.00 of monetary input is received,the gaming device may apply 105% of the $100.00 to the selected balance,thereby increasing the selected balance by $105.00.

Each balance has an associated payout schedule, an associatedprobability schedule, or both. Accordingly, there can be differentincentives associated with each balance. The gaming device may includebalances and associated incentives to, for example, promote the use of acasino account rather than currency, or to promote establishing a largebalance. In other embodiments, each balance may include furtherassociated data, such as a schedule of “player-reward points”, therebyproviding different incentives for using various balances.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary process 430 for selecting a balance(as indicated by the step 408 of FIG. 4) begins with a determination ofthe source of the monetary input (step 432). If the source is a casinoaccount, then a “casino account” balance is selected (step 434).Otherwise, the gaming device determines the amount of monetary input(step 436). For example, if the amount is less than a predeterminedthreshold of twice the maximum wager of the gaming device, then a“non-bankroll” balance is selected (step 438). If the amount is not lessthan twice the maximum wager of the gaming device, then a “bankroll”balance is selected (step 440). Of course, the names attributed tobalances may be varied as desired.

In the exemplary process 430, there are three balances (“casino account”balance, “non-bankroll” balance, and “bankroll” balance). Those skilledin the art will realize that any number of balances may be provided inaccordance with the present invention. The particular criteria forselecting a balance may be designed to further any number of goals. Forexample, whether monetary input increases the “non-bankroll” balance orthe “bankroll” balance depends on whether the amount exceeds athreshold. In the example of FIG. 5, such a threshold was twice themaximum wager of the gaming device. Such a threshold is established inorder to discriminate between players that provide only enough paymentfor one play, or sufficient payment for more than one play.

A plurality of balances may be increased in the manner described above.For example, a player may first provide the gaming device with fundsfrom a casino account, thereby increasing the “casino account” balance.Thereafter, the player may insert currency into the machine, increasingthe “non-bankroll” balance or the “bankroll” balance, depending on theamount of currency inserted.

Selecting a Wager Amount

Once one or more balances are established, the player selects a wageramount and initiates a play of the gaming device. Since there is morethan one balance, the gaming device must determine a “wagering balance”from which the wager amount is drawn.

Referring to FIG. 6, a process 450 for selecting a wager amount beginswhen the gaming device receives a wager amount from the player (step452). As is known in the art, the player may actuate one or more keys ofthe keypad 342 (FIG. 3) to indicate the wager amount. For example, manyvideo poker machines have a “Bet Max” button, indicating the maximumwager amount for the machine. Other methods of indicating the wageramount will be understood by those skilled in the art.

A balance from the plurality of balances is determined (step 454). Forexample, the player may select the balance using the keypad 342 (FIG.3), which in turn generates a signal that represents the selectedbalance. Alternatively, the balance may be determined based on the wageramount. For example, if the wager amount is less than a predeterminedthreshold, a first balance is used. Otherwise, a second balance is used.In such an embodiment, it is desirable to provide an advantage to usingthe second balance, since players would then have an incentive to selectwager amounts greater than the predetermined threshold. Large wageramounts are typically preferred by casinos. For example, it can beadvantageous to provide an incentive for a player to wager the maximumamount allowed for the gaming device.

In another embodiment, the balance may be determined based on one ormore predetermined rules. For example, one rule may specify that anybalance greater than or equal to the wager amount is the determinedbalance. Another rule may specify that the greatest balance is thedetermined balance. Many such rules will be understood by those skilledin the art. The rules may be retrieved from the data storage device 304(FIG. 3), and/or may be selected by the player upon actuation ofappropriate keys of the keypad 342 (FIG. 3).

More than one balance may be determined. For example, the wager amountmay be greater than any one balance, so a set of two or more balancesmay be drawn from. Each such balance may be determined as describedabove.

Once a balance is determined, that balance, deemed the wagering balance,is adjusted based on the wager amount (step 456). Typically, thewagering balance is decreased by the wager amount. However, in certainembodiments the wagering balance may be decreased by a predeterminedpercentage of the wager amount. For example, if a $5.00 wager amount isreceived, the gaming device may apply 95% of the $5.00 to the wageringbalance, thereby decreasing the wagering balance by $4.75. Such anembodiment may provide an incentive for using a particular balance asthe “wagering balance”.

In other embodiments, a set of wagering balances is adjusted by thewager amount. Each wagering balance is adjusted by a portion of thewager amount. The set of wagering balances may also be adjusted based onthe wager amount and one or more predetermined rules. Such rules may,for example, specify the portions of the wager amount, and each wageringbalance that is decreased thereby.

Determining an Award Amount

Referring to FIG. 7, a process 470 for determining an award amountincludes a step 472 of determining a wagering balance from the pluralityof balances. The step 472 has been described above in conjunction withFIG. 6. The gaming device next generates a game outcome (step 474),typically by generating a random number, and in turn accessing aprobability schedule to determine a game outcome corresponding to therandom number. An award amount based on the game outcome is thendetermined (step 476). One method of determining the award amount is toaccess a payout schedule to determine an award amount corresponding tothe game outcome. A balance is selected from the plurality of balances(step 478), and that balance is adjusted based on the award amount (step480).

Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary probability schedule 500 defines a setof outcomes 502 and corresponding likelihoods of the outcomes. Theprobability schedule 500 includes entries 508-542, each defining anoutcome and its corresponding probability of occurrence. The probabilityof occurrence of each outcome is defined by a range 504 of randomnumbers, and/or a number of expected hits per cycle 506.

The exemplary probability schedule 500 includes a number of slotmachine-type outcomes. As is known in the art, in a typical slot machinehaving three reels, each reel may assume one of twenty-two positions.Accordingly, there are 10,648 reel combinations (22×22×22=10,648). For amore detailed discussion of slot machines, associated probabilities andpayouts, reference may be made to J. Regan, Winning at Slot Machines(Citadel Press 1985), incorporated by reference herein.

To generate an outcome, the gaming device generates a random number from“1” to “10,648”. The generated random number corresponds to one entry,and therefore to one outcome. The number of expected hits per cycle 506defines the average number of times each outcome will be generated for acycle of 10,648 plays. Accordingly, a greater number of expected hitsper cycle indicates a more likely outcome.

Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary payout schedule 550 defines a set ofoutcomes 552 and corresponding award amounts 554. The payout scheduleincludes entries 555-588, each defining an outcome and its correspondingaward amount. For example, the entry 556 indicates that an outcome“CHERRY/ANY/ANY” corresponds to an award amount of “2”.

Given a probability schedule and a payout schedule, an award may bedetermined for a play. For example, referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, ifthe gaming device generates a random number “10,358” during a play, thisrandom number corresponds to the entry 518 of the probability schedule500 (FIG. 8). The entry 518 defines the outcome “CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY”.Similarly, the entry 564 of the payout schedule 550 also defines theoutcome “CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY”. The entry 564 corresponds to an awardamount “5”, and thus for this play the award amount is five (coins orother units of monetary input).

In another embodiment, each balance may have an associated probabilityschedule, and the gaming device may generate the game outcome based onthe probability schedule of the wagering balance. Accordingly, theplayer would have different incentives to draw from different wageringbalances.

Referring to FIG. 10, an embodiment of a probability schedule 600defines a set of outcomes 602 and corresponding likelihoods of theoutcomes for each of three balances. The probability schedule 600includes entries 608-642, each defining (i) an outcome, (ii) aprobability of occurrence for wager amounts drawn from a “non-bankroll”balance, (iii) a probability of occurrence for wager amounts drawn froma “bankroll” balance, and (iv) a probability of occurrence for wageramounts drawn from a “casino account” balance.

The probability of occurrence for wager amounts drawn from the“non-bankroll” balance is defined by a range 645 of random numbers,and/or a number of expected hits per cycle 650. The probability ofoccurrence for wager amounts drawn from the “bankroll” balance isdefined by a range 655 of random numbers, and/or a number of expectedhits per cycle 660. The probability of occurrence for wager amountsdrawn from a “casino account” balance is defined by a range 665 ofrandom numbers, and/or a number of expected hits per cycle 670.

As illustrated by the exemplary information of FIG. 10, for anyparticular outcome, the probability of occurrence may be different fordifferent balances. For example, the entry 626 that defines an outcome“ORANGE/ORANGE/ORANGE”, has for each balance a different number ofexpected hits per cycle. The number of expected hits per cycle for the“non-bankroll” balance is “42”, the number of expected hits per cyclefor the “bankroll” balance is “44”, and the number of expected hits percycle for the “casino account” balance is “48”. Accordingly, the outcome“ORANGE/ORANGE/ORANGE” is more likely to occur when the wager amount isdrawn from the “casino account” balance than from the “non-bankroll”balance or the “bankroll” balance.

In addition, if the gaming device generates a random number “10,607”,that random number would correspond to (i) the entry 636 (game outcome“BELL/BELL/BAR”) if the wager amount is drawn from the “non-bankroll”balance, (ii) the entry 638 (game outcome “BELL/BELL/BELL”) if the wageramount is drawn from the “bankroll” balance, and (iii) the entry 638(game outcome “BELL/BELL/BELL”) if the wager amount is drawn from the“casino account” balance. After generating such a game outcome, thegaming device may next determine an award amount from a payout schedule,such as the payout schedule 550 (FIG. 9).

Referring to FIG. 11, an embodiment of a payout schedule 700 defines aset of outcomes 702 and corresponding award amounts for each of threebalances. The payout schedule 700 includes entries 708-742, eachdefining (i) an outcome, (ii) an award amount 744 for wager amountsdrawn from a “non-bankroll” balance, (iii) an award amount 746 for wageramounts drawn from a “bankroll” balance, and (iv) an award amount 748for wager amounts drawn from a “casino account” balance. For example,the entry 742 indicates that an outcome “7/7/7” corresponds to an awardamount of “100” for wager amounts drawn from a “non-bankroll” balance,an award amount of “120” for wager amounts drawn from a “bankroll”balance, and an award amount of “130” for wager amounts drawn from a“casino account” balance. In this manner, players are provided anincentive to create, and in turn draw wager amounts from, the “casinoaccount” balance.

As described above with reference to FIG. 7, once an award amount isdetermined, a balance is selected from the plurality of balances, andthat balance is adjusted based on the award amount. Typically, theselected balance is increased by the award amount. In anotherembodiment, the selected balance is increased by a predeterminedpercentage of the award amount.

In one embodiment, the selected balance is the wagering balance. Inanother embodiment, the selected balance is a predetermined balance thatis increased by all award amounts the player wins. For example, theremay be a “payout” balance that is increased by all award amounts won bythe player. It can be advantageous to provide an incentive to draw wageramounts from such a “payout” balance, since many players view “won”money as less valuable than “their own” money and therefore are lessconservative when wagering with it.

In another embodiment, the balance may be selected based on one or morepredetermined rules. For example, one rule may specify that any balancebelow a predetermined threshold is the selected balance. Another rulemay specify that the greatest balance is the selected balance. Stillanother rule may specify that the balance providing the greatestadvantage (i.e. the most incentive) to the player is the selectedbalance. Many such rules will be understood by those skilled in the art.The rules may be retrieved from the data storage device 304 (FIG. 3),and/or may be selected by the player upon actuation of appropriate keysof the keypad 342 (FIG. 3).

In one embodiment, the award amount may be determined by generating asupplemental (second) game outcome if the (first) game outcomecorresponds to a non-winning outcome. The award amount would then bedetermined, as described above, based on the supplemental game outcome.In such an embodiment, the player may be prompted to “spin again”, orotherwise initiate a second play, for free.

In one embodiment that encourages the use of under-utilized gamingdevices, as well as the use of accumulated winnings for subsequent play,the “payout” balance may be transferred to another gaming device acrossthe network. Thus, when the “payout” balance is transferred to apredetermined (under-utilized) gaming device, and a wager amount isdrawn from the “payout” balance, the “payout” balance would be decreasedby a fraction of the wager amount. For example, if a “payout” balance istransferred to a predetermined gaming device, and a wager amount of $5is drawn from this balance, the balance may be decreased by only $4.75.Such a decrease represents a “bonus” of 5% ($5-$4.75=$0.25=5% of $5).Other incentives may be provided for using the “payout” balance.

Similarly, this bonus may be increased as time passes, thereby providingan incentive to return to the casino. Alternatively, the bonus may bedecreased as time passes, thereby providing an incentive to returnpromptly to the casino. Further, the bonus may decrease to zero after apredetermined time period elapses.

Dispensing Monetary Output

Referring to FIG. 12, a process 770 initiates when the gaming devicereceives a request to dispense monetary output (step 772). At least onebalance is selected (step 774), and a monetary amount based on theselected balance(s) is dispensed (step 776). Each selected balance is inturn set to zero (step 778).

The player may select the balance using the keypad 342 (FIG. 3), whichin turn generates a signal that represents the selected balance.Alternatively, the balance may be determined based on at least onepredetermined rule. Rules and their application to the present inventionhave been described above. For example, a rule may specify that allbalances that are greater than zero are selected.

As also described above, dispensing typically includes activating ahopper in the gaming device to dispense an amount of currency to theplayer. Some gaming devices alternatively credit an account with themonetary amount based on the selected balance(s). Such an account may beidentified by a signal received from card reader 346 (FIG. 3) of thegaming device. The account may be, for example, a credit card account orcasino account stored on a casino server.

Referring to FIG. 13, in another embodiment a set of two or morebalances is selected, and the corresponding amount dispensed. A process790 initiates when the gaming device receives a request to dispensemonetary output (step 792). Next, a set of balances are selected (step794), and the selected balances are summed to generate a total balanceamount (step 796). Finally, the total balance amount is dispensed (step798) and each selected balance is set to zero (step 800).

Alternatively, the total balance amount may be generated by summing theset of balances and a bonus value. Such a bonus value may be based on abalance. For example, if two balances have values of “$15” and “$40”,and the bonus value is 50% of the second balance, then the total balanceis $75 ($75=$15+$40+50% of $40).

In an alternate or supplemental embodiment, additional types of balancescan be defined. For example, a “marker” balance can be defined as fundsobtained by the player from the casino by signing a promissory note orother credit instrument, or otherwise “borrowed” by the player from thecasino. Typically, such a marker balance would allow a player to play attimes when the player does not have any currency or account balanceavailable. If a player ends up with a “net win” (cumulative awardamounts exceed the borrowed funds), the borrowed funds are deducted fromthe award amounts, and a signal can be sent to casino personnel todestroy the credit instrument. The use of marker credits can be rewardedmuch like the other types of balances described above.

According to other various embodiments, a balance may be associated withvarious types of alternative (or additional) incentives. For example, anassociated incentive may be a gift or benefit, such as an entry into asweepstakes, a gift certificate, a complimentary beverage, frequentflyer miles, long distance minutes, or access to a service (e.g., localtelephone call service from the slot machine).

An incentive may be defined or determined by the gaming device, theplayer, or the casino server. Of course, an incentive defined by aplayer may be subject to approval by the casino. According to variousembodiments, a player may be presented at video display 336 with a menuof incentives, for example, and prompted to select one to be associatedwith a balance.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, agaming device includes a plurality of balances. The gaming devicereceives monetary input, such as currency or a transfer from an account,and in turn increases one or more balances. The balance increaseddepends on criteria such as the amount of monetary input or the sourceof monetary input (e.g., from a casino account). Players may draw wageramounts from different balances, and add award amounts to the balances.Incentives are provided for using the different balances. For example,different balances may have different payout schedules, differentprobability schedules, or both.

Those skilled in the art will note that various substitutions may bemade to those embodiments described herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although a slotmachine has been described above, the present invention is equallyapplicable to other gaming devices, such as video poker machines andvideo blackjack machines.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A method of operating a gamingsystem through a data network, said method comprising: causing at leastone processor to determine a first balance of credit, wherein the firstbalance can be used to draw wagers from for use in playing a game, andthe first balance is associated with a first source from which thecredit of the first balance originated; causing the at least oneprocessor to determine a second balance of credit, wherein, independentof the first balance, the second balance can be used to draw wagers fromfor use in playing the game, and the second balance is associated with asecond source from which the credit of the second balance originated,and said second source is independent of the first source; causing theat least one processor to determine a request to place a wager on a playof the game; causing the at least one processor to determine, based onat least one rule, which of the first balance and the second balance todraw the wager from; causing the at least one processor to draw thewager from the determined balance; and causing at least one displaydevice to display the play of the game.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the first source is an account stored at a casino server.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, which includes receiving a request to transfer anamount of credit to the first balance from the account stored at thecasino server.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the request includes anindication of the amount of credit to transfer.
 5. The method of claim2, wherein the second source is an amount of money received from aplayer.
 6. The method of claim 2, which includes: receiving a request todispense monetary output; causing the at least one processor totransfer, in response to the request, the credit of the first balance tothe casino account; and causing the at least one processor to dispense,in response to the request, an amount of currency, wherein the amount ofcurrency corresponds to the credit of the second balance.
 7. The methodof claim 1, which includes: causing the at least one processor todetermine that a payout has been won as a result of a randomdetermination associated with the play of the game; and causing the atleast one processor to increase at least one of the first balance andthe second balance based on the payout.
 8. The method of claim 7, whichincludes causing the at least one processor to select, based on at leastone rule for providing payouts, one of the first balance and the secondbalance that is to be increased based on the payout.
 9. A method ofoperating a gaming system through a data network, said methodcomprising: causing at least one processor to access a plurality ofbalances of credit; determining a wager for a play of a game; receiving,from a player, a selection of at least one of the balances thedetermined wager is to be drawn from for the play of the game, whereineach of the plurality of balances can be used to draw wagers fromindependent of the other balances; and causing at least one displaydevice to display the play of the game.
 10. The method of claim 9, whichincludes receiving, from the player, a selection of a plurality of thebalances the determined wager is to be drawn from for the play of thegame.
 11. The method of claim 9, which includes causing the at least oneprocessor to: randomly determine if any award is associated with theplay of the game, and increase at least one of the plurality of balancesbased on any award.
 12. A method of operating a gaming system through adata network, said method comprising: causing at least one processor todetermine an amount of monetary input, wherein the monetary inputincludes any form of input which when added to a balance, causes anincrease in the balance; causing the at least one processor to add theamount of the monetary input to at least one individually accessiblebalance of a plurality of individually accessible balances; receiving aselection of at least one of the balances, the selection identifying theat least one balance as the balance from which a wager is to be drawnfor a play of a game; causing the at least one processor to adjust theselected balance based on the wager; and causing at least one displaydevice to display the play of the game.
 13. The method of claim 12,which includes causing the at least one processor to operate with akeypad to receive a selection of at least one of the plurality ofbalances.
 14. The method of claim 12, which includes providing a benefitto a player in exchange for the player selecting the selected balance.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the benefit is selected from thegroup consisting of: a different payout schedule, a quantity of playerreward points, a different amount available to draw wagers from, adifferent plurality of awards available for the play of the game, adifferent probability of winning at least one award for the play of thegame, and a supplemental game outcome.
 16. The method of claim 12, whichincludes causing the at least one processor to: randomly determine ifany award is associated with the play of the game, and increase at leastone of the plurality of balances based on any award.
 17. A method ofoperating a gaming system through a data network, said methodcomprising: causing at least one processor to make a first balanceavailable to a player for drawing a wager from; causing the at least oneprocessor to, independent of the first balance, make a second balance ofcredit available to the player for drawing the wager from; providing anincentive to the player to draw the wager from the second balance,wherein the incentive defines a benefit to be provided to the player inexchange for the player drawing the wager from the second balance; andcausing at least one display device to display an indication of theprovided incentive.
 18. The method of claim 17, which includes receivinga selection of the second balance as the balance from which the wager isto be drawn and providing the benefit to the player.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the benefit is selected from the group consisting of:a different payout schedule, a quantity of player reward points, adifferent amount available to draw wagers from, a different plurality ofawards available for the play of the game, a different probability ofwinning at least one award for the play of the game, and a supplementalgame outcome.
 20. A method of operating a gaming system through a datanetwork, said method comprising: causing at least one processor to storea plurality of balances, wherein each balance is a balance from which awager for a play of a game may be drawn independent of the otherbalances; causing the at least one processor to make available aplurality of incentives that may be associated with at least one of thebalances; receiving, from a player, a selection of at least one of theincentives and at least one of the balances that the at least oneincentive is to be associated with; causing the at least one processorto associate the selected at least one incentive with the selected atleast one balance; and causing at least one display device to displaythe play of the game.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the selectedincentive associated with the selected balance is selected from thegroup consisting of: a different payout schedule, a quantity of playerreward points, a different amount available to draw wagers from, adifferent plurality of awards available for the play of the game, adifferent probability of winning at least one award for the play of thegame, and a supplemental game outcome.
 22. The method of claim 20, whichincludes causing the at least one processor to: randomly determine ifany award is associated with the play of the game, and increase at leastone of the plurality of balances based on any award.